Some seem to be taking issue with my passing assertion that we are screwed because there is not enough energy, saying this is the very worst thing to complain about at this stage of the war. Though none question the enormity of the awfulness of our power generation problems, there are those who offer competing examples of pessimism, such as the ongoing heat wave, our lack of air defense and terrible, horrible Russian psychological operations designed to sap morale.
Nonetheless, just as I am convinced that the worst song ever recorded is We Didn’t Start the Fire, that the worst album ever released is Please Hammer Don’t Hurt Em, that the worst video ever shot is November Rain, that the worst magazine ever published is One: Design Matters, I am convinced the Ukraine Compact is the worst way to solve our survivability issues, with the possible exception of the Orban-Trump peace plan.
That’s just me venting. It’s what Substack is for.
Takeaways from the Ukraine Compact:
(1) Support Ukraine's immediate defense and security needs, including through the continued provision of security assistance and training, modern military equipment, and defense industrial and necessary economic support, working bilaterally and through existing multilateral mechanisms, including the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) and its Capability Coalitions, NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), and the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine);
(2) Accelerate efforts to build a Ukrainian future force that maintains a credible defense and deterrence capability, including by convening within 6 months at the level of Defense Ministers through the UDCG to review and approve roadmaps prepared by the leaders of the Capability Coalitions — each a Compact Signatory — on future force development through 2027, in coordination with NSATU and EUMAM Ukraine, with a view to continue strengthening the force into the 2030s; and
(3) In the event of future Russian armed attack against Ukraine following the conclusion of current hostilities, convene swiftly and collectively at the most senior levels to determine appropriate next steps in supporting Ukraine as it exercises its right of self-defense as enshrined in Article 51 of the UN Charter, including the provision of swift and sustained security assistance and the imposition of economic and other costs on Russia.
Arseniy and Vitaly have all the details:
Looking on the bright side, I enjoyed this article, Fear and resolve: A Look at Life in a Shattered Ukrainian Neighborhood, appearing in The New York Times.
Especially the pictures.
It reminded me of the magazine Living the War.
Finally, sad news about the death of Brock Greenwood, 24, who became the seventh Australian killed in Ukraine on July 6. The 24-year-old from Hervey Bay had no military training before leaving Australia to become an "infantry team leader" for the Ukrainian International Foreign Legion.
It seems Ukrainians are facing the perennial problem of truth telling during wartime. Is it treasonous to spread bad news even if it is true? If you point out the clay feet of the rulers, is that undermining the war effort? How does one have a dissenting opinion without being arrested as a traitor? America's war in Vietnam was undermined by the media. That was the last war in which America allowed unfettered access by journalists or news people to the war zone. Now media has to be embedded with the armed forces and they are controlled by the military. What is more important, victory or democratic principles? I suspect victory first, principles later.
We must celebrate true heroes like Brock and small victories such as Uncle Joe (being present )and Nato having a worthwhile summit with right intentions and dictates.... hopefully they follow through.